Three Dimensional Hanging Ornament

ABSTRACT

A three dimensional ornament is provided that is configured to be suspended from a tether and rotate to provide the appearance of different shapes as the ornament rotates. The ornament comprises a frame construction with an open interior and a frame member perimeter. An upper apex affixes to a swivel joint and is aligned with the lower apex of the ornament along the ornament centerline. The centerline of the ornament separates the left side from the right side of the ornament, whereby the frame members and corresponding connecting apexes of the frame member periphery are mirror images of one another across the centerline of the ornament. As the ornament spins, it projects a changing image from an onlooker&#39;s perspective, which changes throughout the ornament rotation and based on the rotation speed thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/007,533 filed on Jun. 4, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hanging ornaments and wind vanes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hanging ornament with a mirrored configuration and an open frame construction such that the ornament projects different shapes when viewed from a single perspective and as the ornament rotates about a tether.

Wind vanes and hanging ornaments are popular decorative items that can be placed in indoor and outdoor spaces. The present invention comprises a hanging ornament that is supported by an elongated tether and one that rotates relative to the tether. The shape of the ornament is such that the ornament projects a different visual display depending on the rotational speed of the ornament and the perspective of the onlooker. The ornament has a mirrored, open frame construction that changes its visual appearance as it rotates when viewed from a single vantage point. As the rotational speed increases, the visual display further changes, providing a unique ornament and display item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is intended solely for the benefit of the reader and is not intended to be limiting in any way. The present invention provides a new hanging ornament that can be utilized for providing a unique visual appearance when the device is suspended and rotates.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hanging ornament that creates different optical shapes from single vantage point as it rotates, whereby the device comprises an open frame ornament having a plurality of frame members forming an open interior. The frame members form an outer periphery of the ornament, whereby each of the frame members having a length and a pair of ends. A tether supports the ornament along its centerline, whereby the ornament has a left side and a right side that are a mirror image of each other about the centerline.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hanging ornament that has a nonplanar, three dimensional shape, wherein each of the frame members is connected at their ends in a faceted configuration with adjacent frame members and at a perpendicular apex.

Another object of the present invention to provide a hanging ornament that is suspended from a tether and connected to the tether by a swivel joint, whereby the swivel joint, the upper apex of the ornament, and the lower apex of the ornament are all vertically aligned. The swivel joint rotatably connects the tether to the upper apex of the ornament such that the ornament can rotate relative to the tether.

Another object of the present invention to provide a hanging ornament that is formed of statically connected frame members forming the outer periphery of the ornament, whereby the ornament has a static shape.

Another object of the present invention to provide a hanging ornament wherein the frame members are tubular frame members having a rounded outer surface and a hollow interior volume, and whereby the perpendicular apexes of the ornament are elbow joints that receive and connect each of the adjoining frame members together.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of the hanging ornament of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead perspective view of the hanging ornament of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows another view of the hanging ornament of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the present invention as it rotates from a single vantage point.

FIG. 4B shows a side perspective as the ornament rotates from a single vantage point about the tether.

FIG. 4C shows another side perspective as the ornament rotates from a single vantage point about the tether.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the hanging ornament of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for presenting different visual patterns when the ornament is suspended from a tether and rotated therefrom. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, there are shown views of the hanging ornament of the present invention from various perspectives. The hanging ornament is one that has a specific shape and one in which the two sides of the device are divided along the centerline thereof, and whereby the configuration of the two sides are a mirror image of one another. When the ornament is suspended by a tether 30 and rotated about the tether, the ornament provides a visual display for an observer. The shape of the ornament, based on its three dimensional shape and mirrored construction, takes on different forms as the ornament rotates, and based on the speed at which the ornament rotates. The observer, from a single vantage point, recognizes different patterns as the device rotates, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The ornament of the present invention comprises an open-frame shape with an open interior 19 and a periphery formed of a plurality of frame members 15 connected to one another at apexes 14 to form perpendicular connections therebetween. The ornament comprises an upper apex 12 and a lower apex 13. The upper apex comprises an article of hardware 10, such as a closed loop, eyelet, or equivalent connector, to which a swivel joint 40 and tether 30 affix to the ornament. The tether 30 is used to suspend the ornament above the ground, while the swivel joint allows free rotation about the tether 30 without binding or twisting the same. The centerline 50 of the ornament comprises a line through which the upper apex 12, the lower apex 13, and the tether 30 share when the ornament is freely suspended from the tether 30.

The ornament comprises a mirror-image construction, whereby the centerline 50 of the ornament separates the left side 21 of the ornament from the right side 11 of the ornament. The left and right sides each comprise a portion of the periphery of the ornament, and each side includes the same number of frame members 15 and apexes 14. The configuration of the frame members and apexes on the sides of the ornament are a mirror image of one another about the centerline 50 of the ornament and across a plane that intersects the centerline and separate the left side 21 from the right side 11 with equal parts of the ornament on both sides of the plane. This configuration provides a critical function in the manner in which the ornament provides a changing visual effect as it rotates.

In a preferred configuration, the left and right sides of the ornament each include six frame members 15 and five apexes 14, whereby the left 21 and right 11 sides of the ornament intersect at the upper 12 and lower 13 apex along the centerline 50 of the ornament. When suspended, the swivel joint 40 allows free rotation of the ornament along the centerline 50, whereby the sides of the ornament are visualized from different angles as the ornament rotates. The swivel joint 40 is one that allows rotation of a lower portion 41 of the joint and stationary support of the ornament along the upper portion 42 of the joint. The upper portion 42 of the joint is secured to the tether 30, which supports the ornament from an overhead support.

The ornament comprises an open frame configuration with a plurality of frame members 15 forming an open interior 19, whereby the frame members 19 also form an outer periphery of the ornament. Each of the frame members 15 has a length and a pair of ends, whereby the frame members 15 may have a specific cross section, including tubular, solid, faceted, or rounded. Each of the frame members 15 is connected at its ends in a faceted configuration to adjacent frame members, whereby the frame members 15 connect to each other at perpendicular apexes 15. The apexes 14 are integrally formed into the periphery, or alternately are elbow joints that connect to the frame members 15. The apexes 14 support the frame members 15 in a static condition such that the frame members are statically connected the ornament has a static shape as it rotates.

The shape of the ornament is nonplanar and three dimensional with respect to the plane separating the left 21 and right 11 sides of the ornament. This three-dimensional and mirrored configuration causes an illusion when viewed from a single vantage point of an onlooker. As the left and right sides trade positions during full rotation, the user sees different shapes as the ornament rotates, providing a pleasing image or series of images, depending on the rotational speed of the ornament.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a view illustrating the different images projected by the hanging ornament as the device rotates relative to the tether. A first 101, second 101, third 102, and more images are projected, corresponding to the angular position of the ornament relative to the onlooker, and the rotational speed of the ornament. Rotational motion is achieved through air motion and wind, whereby the device can be placed outdoors or indoors and in place of a fan or other forced air device. The projected image is admirable from different distances, and may be amplified by a light projection onto or from behind the ornament, thereby enhancing the changing visual effect of the ornament while it spins.

The ornament is comprised of several frame members and perpendicular apexes. The frame members and apexes may be formed of a unitary material, or alternatively may comprise separate, connected members forming the overall shape of the ornament. The frame members may be arranged in such a way that they may change their appearance to an onlooker in the wind, whereby the shapes include a star, a diamond, an arrow, and other forms. In some embodiments, the frame members may be tubular or solid, and the materials may vary from plastics (e.g. PVC, ABS, etc.), wood, or metal.

It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A spinning ornament that creates different optical shapes from single vantage point as it rotates, comprising: an open frame ornament having a plurality of frame members forming an open interior, whereby the frame members form an outer periphery of the ornament; each of the frame members having a length and a pair of ends; wherein each of the frame members is connected at their ends in a faceted configuration with adjacent frame members, whereby the frame members connect to each other at a perpendicular apex; the frame members being statically connected at each perpendicular apex such that the outer periphery of the ornament has a static shape; an upper apex and a lower apex; a swivel joint connected to a tether, whereby the swivel joint rotatably connects the tether to the upper apex such that the ornament can rotate relative to the tether; the upper apex, the lower apex and the tether being vertically aligned along a centerline of the ornament; the ornament having a left side and a right side, the left side and right side being separated by the centerline of the ornament; the outer periphery of the ornament having a nonplanar, three dimensional shape; and wherein the right side of the ornament is a mirror image of the left side of the ornament.
 2. The spinning ornament of claim 1, wherein the frame members are tubular frame members having a rounded outer surface and a hollow interior volume.
 3. The spinning ornament of claim 1, wherein the perpendicular apexes are elbow joints that receive and connect two adjoining frame members. 